Pinky
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Movie Reviews of Pinky
Movie Review: When this film is not Controversial, we'll know we've arrived.
Summary: 5 Stars
Let's start with the casting of Jeanne Crain. There ARE mixed race women who are as light as Jeanne Crain, but because of the "one drop rule," they were in 1949, and often still today are considered black. In today's multi-cultural society these women often embrace their heritage, but the issues they face remain sadly the same today in many facets. African Americans today who are educated are often told they are "talking white."
There is a reason that "she's passing" became an understood term. Very light skinned women & men DID try to do what Pinky here does.
I find this film completely, sadly relevant. These conversations of segregation and intermarriage are STILL going strong. There are African Americans who talk about "white women taking our men" or "stay with your own race." This is segregationist, this is racist, and it still exists very strongly in all racial communities.
Dorothy Dandridge and Lena Horne - great talented beauties, are often mentioned as possible contenders for this role. They were NOT light enough to pass for white, it hampered their careers, and they have both acknowledged that.
Hollywood in general likes their races obvious, casting is still largely done by type and stereotype, no matter what race - even today it would be hard to find an actress of stature who identifies herself as black, but who can totally pass as white; the market doesn't hire these women. Even today my dark skinned actress friends have been told they don't "talk black enough" in auditions. Ethel Waters & Ethel Barrymore are cases in point here. Both fine actresses are playing the same roles they have played in other movies. Both are wonderful, both were completely type cast.
The greatness is in little things like the scene with Nina Mae McKinney next to Frederick O'Neal, next to Jeanne Crain, all 3 differnet skin tones, all playing black folks. THAT is the reality of mysogenation in the South, and that is what people still have trouble with: sometimes race is not just black and white. (McKinney is fantastic, and fills every single second of her screen time to the brim, from the pebble in her shoe to coyly playing piano on the top of a fence.)
Jeanne Crain had enormous courage to portray this role. Not only is she perpetually faulted for being a white woman playing this role, but it was a career risk, some people questioned her heritage in a racist age. That is a tribute to the reality and sensitivity she brought to the role, and her acting, which is often maligned because she had reserve. Her "under" acting is actually the preferred style today in tv and film. She was ahead of her time. Even Kazan eventually credited her work.
This movie is sensitively done in all respects with really great performances top to bottom. It is not glossy or simple, neither race is soley good or soley bad. It is a disservice to have the only commentary done by someone who clearly still does not like the film and doesn't appreciate the complexity of Crain's work here. That a New Yorker thought the court trial didn't look real because people were all fanning themselves shows he has never spent time in the south in a public gathering place.
This film is gauling and aggrivating, and unfortunately still very real. While some call it old-fashioned, it is still much too true. This is not a fun film, it is a great film, that speaks just as much to attitudes held today as it did then.
Movie Review: Great Movie Now, Astonishing Film Then
Summary: 5 Stars
PINKY has already been covered by great reviews here, so I'll try to be brief. Made in 1949 (black & white), this film was about 12 years before the beginning of the Civil Rights Movement in the South. For younger people today who don't know what it was like to be black in the South--it was HELL. The level of white ignorance & sheer hatred (in many instances) was terrible, and could be downright horrific. Fortunately, we've all come a LONG way from those days. However, in 1949 this film is of great documentary value; but don't let that scare you off, it's a great movie too. Top notch actors, script & direction. It's even got a great court scene near the end.
OK. So all else I have to say is this: I read a review where a black reviewer expressed dissatisfaction that a black woman wasn't cast in the lead role ("Pinky" is a black woman who easily "passes" as white & has a blond hunk, Northern boy friend.) I won't comment on that--but what did impress me about the movie was how successfully Jeanne Crain's acting, subtle make-up & hair, Elia Kazan's skilled direction & production lighting created an authenticity of the racial theme. There were times, particularly in profile, when it really looked like an African American was acting the role.
That's it. Considering the people who were involved in the production--and its' theme, of course--PINKY is a video document reflecting American cultural history.
PS.The romantic interest with the hunk doctor doesn't quite pan out, but the movie's got a upbeat ending anyway.
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Movie Review: A Hidden Gem
Summary: 5 Stars
Here is an interesting movie! "Pinky" is about a light-skinned young black woman from the deep South who goes north for nursing school, where she passed for white. The lead role played to perfection by Jeanne Crain with almost total credibility. JC returns home for a visit, which becomes somewhat "extended". That stay is the basis of the plot. That's all this review will reveal, in the interest of not divulging the resolution.
Crain is by far the central character here, ably supported by a fine cast including Ethel Waters as her grandmother and Ethel Barrymore as the dying old woman she is pressed into caring for. "Pinky" is well-directed by Elia Kazan. Continuity from scene to scene is excellent. Viewer interest is maintained throughout. This is a fast moving movie. It must have taken courage for Ms. Crain to play such a role back in 1949. I have always liked her pictures and wondered why she never became a major star. JC certainly was a mysteriously attractive woman. One wonders what would have resulted if John Ford remained as the original director. The record will show that the Academy recognized "Pinky". Crain was nominated for Best Actress; Waters and Barrymore for Best Supporting Actress. Statues went instead to Olivia de Haviland for "The Heiress" and Mercedes McCambridge for "All the Kings Men".
The only negative comment this reviewer can muster deals with that negative house review by amazon. What was the writer thinking? Also, previous reviewer "Larry C" (a major Crain devotee) should know that another JC gem, "Dangerous Crossing" is indeed available for purchase on amazon. Both feature Crain in challenging roles which allowed her considerable talents to blossom.
Movie Review: More relevant than ever
Summary: 5 Stars
This is a film I've avoided watching in the past, but finally was drawn into tonight on TCM. In light of recent news events involving a troubling resurgence of overt racism since electing Barack Obama the 44th president, the seemingly dated portrayal of bigotry and politics of the south have never been more evident. The film's story gets it completely right. The author should be applauded. Especially considering that other novels of Cid Ricketts Sumner were "Tammy and the Bachelor" and the sequels. He seems to have quickly left the arena of controversy regarding films.
I found myself completely relating to the character of Pinky for reasons other than race. Her desire to be true to herself is universal. Possibly more so for women than men. The brazen way white men sexually assaulted her is ugly to see. We know this is far too true. We see it coming from the Tea Party. We see it coming from local politicians thinking their attitude is something not to be ashamed of. The ugliest side of our nature is that of racism.
This film was directed by Elia Kazan (who replaced John Ford). One has to wonder what the different eye and mind would have presented. As it is, it's a mirror to ourselves. I certainly hoped we'd left this behind. But parts of the south and the minds of the ignorant seem to be timeless presences. We have to cope.
I vote for Pinky. What a wonderful character she was/is.
Movie Review: Great Race Melodrama
Summary: 5 Stars
Pinky's approach to miscegenation and its story of a light-skinned black woman "passing" for white may be dated (the film doesn't even talk about Pinky's parents, presumably the miscegenated relationship that lead to her birth in the first place) and probably even offensive to some, but despite the film's flawed racial politics, it still works and entertains thanks to a trio of great perfomances (all Oscar-nominated) by Jeanne Crain, Ethel Waters, and Ethel Barrymore. Sure, Jeanne Crain is white, but to expect the casting of a light-skinned black actress (like Lena Horne) in the lead role of a "prestige" 1949 Hollywood film is anachronistic (unless it had been an "all-black" film like "Cabin in the Sky" or "Stormy Weather"). And, although director Elia Kazan didn't think too much of her as an actress, Crain is very effective in the lead. In fact, the whole "white passing for black passing for white" situation works well to point out the film's racial politics.
The DVD includes a commentary track by Kenneth Geist that, while very informative about the production and the leads, was disappointing in that he interprets the film quite literally, as many film historians who contribute to DVD's seem to do.